User-customizable children&#39;s puzzles

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are puzzles useful primarily by children, but also enjoyable by young adults and others. The puzzles of the invention permit a user to remove a piece of the puzzle from the overall construct, to reveal an image, the identity of which is customizable either by the user themselves, or by another person, which often may comprise a parent of the intended user. The images so revealed may thus be any image placed into the puzzle at the will of a person so capable, but are anticipated to often comprise images of the user&#39;s relations, including family members, famous persons, siblings and others. Additionally, geographical locations, images of outer space, images of famous persons, famous places, landmarks, pets, etc. are within the realm of potential images viewed. The instant puzzles are especially well suited to inspire learning in toddler-aged users, for stimulating cognizance of images, commensurate with provoking a physical response by the child. Although the present invention finds particular utility amongst enhancing the skills of special-needs children, it is well-suited to be enjoyed by children of all ages.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to toys and particularly to puzzleswhich are intended to be played with by children. More particularly, itrelates to children's “peg puzzles”, which may be customized by the userto incorporate images selected by the user.

BACKGROUND

Children's puzzles have been known in the art for some time. One populartype of children's puzzle is known in the art as a “peg puzzle”. A pegpuzzle generally consists of a first flat, substantially rectangularbacking board, which in one embodiment comprises a sheet of plywood orparticleboard. Bonded to the backing board is a second substantiallyrectangular planar board, corresponding roughly in dimension to thefirst backing board and which has various shapes cut out of it(cutouts), which second planar board is further bonded to the firstbacking board to provide a construct which is adapted to receive shapescorresponding to the cutouts. Shapes of board material corresponding tothe cutouts (puzzle pieces) are equipped with a peg on their topsurface, which renders the puzzle pieces to be readily grasped by achild of age in the general range of between about 1 year old and 10years old. By providing a plurality of differently-shaped puzzle piecesand correspondingly-shaped cutouts in the second planar board, achallenging game is provided to youngsters and toddlers in which thechild may pick up the puzzle pieces and insert them into the cutouts inorder to complete the puzzle. Such puzzles are well-known and areavailable from Lights, Camera, Interaction!, Inc. under the tradename of“Doug & Melissa”, who are now relatively famous among the younger setand parents alike for their marketing and distributing of a wide rangeof peg puzzles.

Numerous workers have previously sought to provide new puzzles forchildren, a few of which are now recited to illustrate the popularity ofthe art to which the present invention pertains. U.S. Pat. No. 1,714,127provides a puzzle toy, comprising a top open chamber having a flatbottom surface with an affixed picture, and a plurality of blocks to beinserted into the top open chamber and supported upon the flat bottomsurface. As the blocks are removed, the picture is revealed. Thus, theremoval of blocks to reveal a picture beneath is known in the art andbroad coverage for the process of doing this is probably not available.U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,616 discloses an underlay for puzzles having aholder having a groove in which a slide can be inserted. After the slideis inserted in the holder, the pieces are laid upon it. The slide isremoved and the holder is held to enable the pieces to fall down intothe holder portion. U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,017 sets forth a multi-layeredornamental system; however, no photographs or the like are involved.U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,361 shows a display frame for photographs whichcomprises two separable panels, each of which have magnetic meanssufficiently attached to retain the panels in a closed position. Thephotos 17 a and 17 b are shown to be slid into position. U.S. Pat.4,111,425 teaches a jigsaw puzzle apparatus comprising: a) a work areafor the assembly of component puzzle pieces, with the work area beingconfigured and arranged so as to hold a completed puzzle substantiallyin place; and b) a cover overlying the work area in a manner to impart acompressive force upon the puzzle pieces in further holding thecompleted puzzle in substantially aligned relationship. The work areaincludes a construction platform, a raised border surrounding theconstruction platform, and a resilient pad atop the platform to receivethe puzzle pieces and to permit the puzzle pieces to be compressedinwardly thereof when the cover is placed in overlying relationshiptherewith. The resilient pad is selected of sufficient roughness toprovide a sideways frictional force to hold the puzzle pieces in placeduring the construction of the jigsaw puzzle, and the constructionplatform and the surrounding raised border are dimensioned for theparticular accommodation of the given puzzle to be held. There is alsoincluded a tray fixedly circumscribing the surrounding raised border andconstruction platform for the containment, assortment and organizationof individual puzzle pieces during the construction of the jigsawpuzzle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,726 describes a jigsaw type picture puzzleand retainer frame combination which permits the picture puzzle to bestored in the frame and viewed therein in assembled form. The devicecomprises a set of picture puzzle pieces of predetermined thickness thatin assembly together form a picture of predetermined outer dimensionsand thickness, The retainer frame comprises three laminated layers: a) abacking member; b) an intermediate spacing member substantially thethickness of the puzzle pieces; and c) an upper member comprising aborder member. The spacing member defines an aperture larger than theviewing aperture to thereby form a ledge between the border member andbacking member. The border member is affixed in place to the frame anddefines a picture viewing aperture of smaller dimensions than that ofthe assembled picture with the ledge thereunder substantiallyregistering with the assembled picture dimensions. The backing member isaffixed in the frame, and the ledge has a depth to the backing membersubstantially registering with the picture puzzle pieces thickness. Atleast those of the puzzle pieces that fit around the outer edge of thepicture have a resiliency and shape that permit bending for fitting intoand removing from under the ledge so that the picture may be assembledand disassembled into the retainer frame. U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,013discloses an apparatus useful for assembling and displaying at least onejig-saw puzzle comprising; a) a storage tray means capable of storingunfitted pieces of the jig-saw puzzle; and b) an assembly tray meanslocated in spaced relation to the storage tray means and having asurface on which the jig-saw puzzle is assembled. The surface has aplurality of perforations so that a stop means may be inserted thereinto prevent the assembled puzzle from moving along the surface. Thedisplay tray means is at least partially transparent to allow theassembled puzzle to be displayed and is located in spaced relation tothe assembly tray means so as to be capable of cooperating with the stopmeans in the perforations to effectively immobilize the assembledpuzzle. There is also a fastening means to hold the storage tray means,the assembly tray means, and the display tray means together. U.S. Pat.No. 4,486,018 provides a puzzle assembly having a plurality of pieceswhich are identical and which interfit without interlocking which areassembled in a recess of the base of a container. The container isclosed by a cover hinged to the base. When the cover is closed, thepuzzle pieces are disposed between top and bottom walls formedrespectively on the cover and the base. The pieces are made of aresiliently yieldable material and their normal thickness is greaterthan the spacing between the walls when the cover is closed so that thepieces are clamped between the walls and are held against sliding eventhough only some of the pieces have been assembled. The puzzle has adesign on both sides and the top and bottom walls are transparent sothat both designs may be viewed with the cover closed. U.S. Pat. No.4,799,680 describes a child's puzzle comprising: a) a plurality ofpuzzle pieces formed from a transparent plastic material substantiallyfree of any puzzle indicia permanently disposed thereon; b) a basedefining a puzzle recess dimensioned to receive the transparent puzzlepieces, with the base being defined by a bottom wall formed from atransparent plastic material substantially free of any puzzle indiciapermanently disposed thereon, and a frame connected to and extendingfrom the bottom wall; and c) a means for removably placing indicia onthe puzzle pieces and on the bottom wall of the base, whereby the childcan place the puzzle in proximity to an illustration within the child'scognitive repertoire, and trace a puzzle therefrom using the means forremovably placing indicia thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,184 shows atransparent prize presenting game having a puzzle or challenge to besolved or completed. The game is capable of presentation of a paperprize, thereby motivating a player to solve and complete the puzzle orchallenge. The game comprises a hand held manipulable, transparentcontainer wherein the paper prize is viewable. The paper prize isremovably disposed in the container, so that access thereto withoutsuccessfully completing the puzzle or challenge is prevented. The puzzleor a challenge to be solved and completed being disposed in thecontainer, and means for providing access to the paper prize only uponthe successful completion of the puzzle or challenge wherein the playergains access to the container to retrieve the paper prize. U.S. Pat. No.5,573,246 sets forth a building block-jigsaw puzzle comprising a case, afirst layer of building blocks, a second layer of building blocks and athird layer of building blocks, each the layer of building blocks havinga plurality of divided building blocks and placed inside the case. Thebuilding blocks of each layer can be combined to form a picture. Eachthe layer of building blocks have respectively a circular building,block, between each the circular building blocks and the other buildingblocks. Situated around the circular building block are some gaps sothat each the layer of building blocks can be taken out easily from thegaps. The first layer of building blocks show the title of the picture,as the first layer of building blocks are taken out, and the player cancombine the second layer of building blocks to form a picture the samewith the first layer picture. The second layer picture shows a briefexplanation concerning every part of the title, as the second layer ofbuilding blocks are taken out, the player can combine the third layer ofbuilding blocks. The player can find the detailed explanation andfunction to every part of the title in the third layer picture. U.S.Pat. No. 5,577,728 teaches a jigsaw puzzle, comprising: a) a substratehaving first and second sides, and having a painting provided on thefirst side thereof, and cut into a multiple of irregular andinterlocking pieces defined by cutting lines; and b) a transparentmember provided thereon a second painting having close relationship withthe painting of the substrate, and adapted to be laid on the first sideof the substrate in such a manner that a part of the painting of thesubstrate is concealed by the second painting, thereby the secondpainting of the transparent member can be seen emphatically in relationto the painting of the substrate with the cutting lines concealed. U.S.Pat. No. 5,769,418 provides a slide puzzle comprising: a) a frame havinga top image plane and a bottom image plane beneath the top image plane;b) a set of regularly shaped tiles slidably held in a top image plane inthe frame and having at least one free space such that the tiles may beslidably moved relative to each other in the top image plane to anyposition within the frame, with each of the tiles providing at least aportion of a top image formable in the top image plane by the properpositioning of the tiles. The bottom image plane has a bottom imagetherein that is associated with the formable top image in the top imageplane. The set of tiles is transparent such that the bottom image planecan be seen through the first set of tiles and such that a desiredcomposite image constituting a desired solution to the puzzle is formedby the formable top image and the bottom image only upon propermanipulation of the set of tiles within the frame. U.S. Pat. No.6,098,980 describes a puzzle connected with a story, the puzzlecomprising: a) a story board having a front side and an opposing backside; b) a puzzle assembly area formed on a portion on the front side;c) a story printed within the puzzle assembly area providing informationprior to assembly of the puzzle; and d) multiple puzzle pieces forming apictorial representation of the story when assembled in the puzzleassembly area and covering the story printed within the puzzle assemblyarea on the story board. U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,732 specifies a method offorming a picture puzzle collage from a plurality of separate individualphotographs, each having a picture displaying front surface and a rearsurface, the method comprising: a) providing a board having a pluralityof removable separate mating contiguous puzzle pieces that fit togetherto cover at least a substantial portion of the board, each separatepuzzle piece having a circumferential edge; b) removing each of theseparate individual puzzle pieces from the board; c) removing a filmcovering from a front surface of each of the separate individual puzzlepieces to expose an adhesive covered front surface of each the separateindividual puzzle piece; d) affixing a rearward surface of each theseparate individual photograph to the adhesive covered front surface ofthe puzzle piece; e) trimming away portions of each of the separateindividual photograph photographs extending beyond each of the separateindividual puzzle piece's circumferential edge; and f) replacing theseparate individual puzzle pieces each having a trimmed separateindividual photograph adhered thereto to the board in a matingcontiguous relationship. U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,022 shows a tool fordetermining pinion adjustment, the tool comprising: a) a first portionhaving a plurality of temperature gradient reference marks including afirst mark and a second mark; b) a second portion having a gradient gridrepresenting pinion adjustment distances; and c) a third portion havingat least one first reference point and a second reference point fixedrelative to the at least one first reference point. The third portion ismovable relative to the first portion and the second portion toreposition the at least one first reference point from a first locationproximate the first mark to a second location proximate the second markand to reposition the second reference point from a third locationproximate the grid to the fourth location proximate the grid, wherein adistance between the third location and the fourth location correspondsto a determined pinion adjustment distance. U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,678

describes a combination puzzle toy comprising a case. The case has a topopen chamber and the top open chamber has a flat bottom surface. Thereare a plurality of blocks capable of being inserted into the top openchamber and supported on the flat bottom surface of the top open chamberand coupled to one another in a flush manner to form any one of a numberof combinations. The blocks each comprise a flat rectangular first blockmember and a flat rectangular second block member asymmetrically fixedlyarranged in a stack.

Thus, although the prior art is replete with puzzles of various sorts,none thus far has provided a peg puzzle which is customizable, asprovided by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a puzzle construction,which is intended to be enjoyed primarily by children and young adults.A puzzle according to one form of the invention comprises: asubstantially planar, rigid bottom panel having a top surface and abottom surface; and a substantially planar, rigid top panel having a topsurface and a bottom surface. The top panel comprising at least onecutout hole through its surface, wherein the at least one cutout holeexists in the form of a geometric shape. The top panel is disposed atopthe bottom panel, so that the bottom surface of the top panel is facingthe top surface of the bottom panel, and the top panel is attached tothe bottom panel, and the bottom surface of the top panel is removablyattached to said top surface of the bottom panel. There is alsooptionally at least one image disposed on the top surface of the bottompanel, in a location which corresponds substantially to the position ofthe at least one cutout hole in the top panel, so as to render the imageviewable through the cutout hole. The puzzle further comprises at leastone puzzle piece, wherein the puzzle piece is shaped sufficiently to beinsertable into the at least one cutout hole of the top panel,sufficient to substantially block the ability of a person to view the atleast one image when the puzzle piece is in place in the cutout hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a peg puzzle according to oneembodiment of the present invention in its as-used form;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a peg puzzle according to oneembodiment of the present invention, in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a peg puzzle according to analternate embodiment of the present invention, in an open position;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a peg puzzle according to analternate form of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows an insert that is useful with the peg puzzle embodied inFIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 there is shown aperspective view of a peg puzzle 10 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention in its as-used form. The puzzle comprises a bottompanel 3, which in one preferred form of the invention is asubstantially-planar, rectangular sheet material, comprised of, withoutlimitation, materials such as a sheet of wood, plywood, particle board,MASONITE® board, polymeric slabstock such as PVC, polyethylene,polypropylene, etc. Disposed atop the bottom panel 3 is a top panel 5.Top panel 5 in a preferred form of the invention is asubstantially-planar, rectangular sheet material, which may becomprised, without limitation, of any material from which the bottompanel 3 may be or is comprised. The top panel 5 is contoured tocorrespond substantially in shape to the bottom panel, such that whenthe top panel 5 is placed atop the bottom panel 3, the edges of bothpanels are in substantial alignment with one another. The top panel 5preferably includes a plurality of portions which are cut out of the toppanel 5, shown as cutout holes 9 in FIG. 2, which cutout holes extendcompletely through the top panel 5 and may be of any shape desired. Thetop panel 5 is in one embodiment attached to the bottom panel 3. Anattachment means 23 may be used as one optional means for attaching thetop panel 5 to the bottom panel 3. Such attachment means 23 may compriseconventional hinges, each commonly attached to the top panel 5 andbottom panel 3. Alternatively, the attachment means 23 may comprisestrips of fabric, such as canvas, woven nylon, woven or non-wovenpolymers, woven natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic fibers, brackets,and functional equivalents thereof, which are attached to the top paneland bottom panel by conventional means, including without limitationadhesives, rivets, thermowelding, screws, crimping, nuts and bolts,pins, clamps, staples, etc. Such attachment means 23 may thus bedisposed sufficiently on these panels to enable the top panel 5 to be“turned” from the bottom panel 3, analogous to the way in which thecover of a book is “turned”, in order to open up the puzzle 10 to aposition such as that shown in drawings FIGS. 2 and 3 herein. It ispreferable to include a locking means 25, the purpose of which is tosecure the top panel 5 in a closed position with respect to the bottompanel 3 sufficiently so that the top panel and bottom panel do not openup from one another when the puzzle is being transported, similar in oneembodiment to the means by which a child's diary is prevented from beingopened by means of a locking clasp on the edge of the diary. The lockingmeans 25 may be any conventional means for maintaining a hingedly orotherwise attached ensemble comprising a top panel and bottom panelwithin the context of the instant specification, in a closed position.Such locking means 25 may include without limitation: a strip orconstruct of material selected from those descried as being suitable forthe attachment means 23 including those having a snap which are attachedto either the top panel 5 or bottom panel 3, which snap engages with acooperatively-connecting counter portion of a snap disposed on theremaining top or bottom panel. The locking means 25 may include astring, wire, clasp, flexible strip of a metal or metallic alloy thatmay be attached to any surface on the top or bottom panel portion, whichengages or is looped through a clasp-receiver, cleat, anchor, loop, snapor other complementary cooperative provision on any surface of theremaining panel portion, or any functional equivalents thereof.Additionally, a hook and eye type fastener, or hook-and-loop fastener,such as a strip of VELCRO® fastener can be attached to any surface orportion of the bottom panel 3, and be disposed so as to contact acooperatively connecting portion of VELCRO® fastener disposed on anysurface or portion of the top panel 5, or vice versa. Thus, theattachment means 23 and locking means 25 may each independently comprisea VELCRO® fastening pair. The top panel 5 in one preferred embodiment isremovably connected to the bottom panel 3 by conventional connectingmeans known in the art, and in another preferred embodiment is hingedlyattached thereto using same.

In this FIG. 1 are also shown a plurality of puzzle pieces 15, eachincluding a handle portion 17 which enables a puzzle piece 15 to begrasped by the person enjoying the puzzle. In the configuration shown,there are a plurality of images 7, disposed in a position above the topsurface of the bottom panel 3, but beneath the bottom surface of the toppanel 5, which images 7 are positioned to be viewable through one of thecutout holes 9 (FIG. 2), when a puzzle piece 15 which corresponds to thecutout hole 9 is absent from the cutout hole 9. The foregoing features,by virtue of the owner of a puzzle according to the invention being ableto put desired images in the puzzle, enable a child to view images whichare intimately familiar to them, upon removal of a puzzle piece from thepuzzle, including without limitation, a photograph of a relative orfriend, including the child's parents and sibling(s), but essentiallyany desired image. Although the present embodiment is shown with threedifferently shaped cutout holes, the instant invention contemplates theprovision of any practicable number of cutout holes and correspondingpuzzle pieces, either of varying shape, or the same or shapes which aresimilar to one another in the top panel 5.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is an optional protective layer 91, disposedbetween the bottom panel 3 and the top panel 5 so that it resides overthe images. This protective layer 91 is intended to protect the imagesbeneath it from damage, either from being touched by the hands, or foodor liquids which may inadvertently be spilled on the puzzle's face. Theprotective layer 91 may be permanently attached to the lower surface ofthe top panel 5, such as by an adhesive means. Alternatively, theprotective layer may be free-standing and not permanently attached toany portion of the puzzle. The protective layer 91 is preferablycomprised of a translucent plastic, such as a sheet of vinyllicpolymeric material, including without limitation any acrylic or acrylatepolymer(s), polyethylene sheet, polypropylene sheet, polyethyleneterephthalate, polycarbonates, and functional equivalents thereof. It ispreferred that the protective layer 91, when used, is of sufficientthickness to prevent its being torn or fragmented to yield any piecesmall enough to be admitted to the mouth of a small child. The planes ofthe top panel 5 and bottom panel 3 are substantially parallel in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2 is shown a perspective view of a peg puzzle 10 according toone embodiment of the present invention, in an open position, with thetop panel 5 turned away from the bottom panel 3. In this figure areshown the respective positions of the bottom panel 3, optionalprotective layer 91, images 7, front panel 5, and cutout holes 9. Inthis open position, it is possible, when the optional protective layer91 is not present, to remove, change, or add images 7. When a protectivelayer 91 is present, it may simply be removed to enable access to theimages 7 for purposes of positioning or moving the images. The imagesthemselves may be maintained in a stationary position on the top surfaceof the bottom panel by the clamping force supplied by the top panel 5when it is held in position as described previously, or by VELCRO®fasteners or other closure means. Alternatively, the top surface of thebottom panel 3 may be treated with an adhesive substance, such as anamorphous polyalphaolefin polymer of the type employed in Post-It® notesof the 3M company of Minnesota, or any other adhesive having anessentially infinite open time. Texturing or providing a layer of fabric(felt, etc.) attached to the top surface of the bottom panel 3 is alsofunctional in this regard. The planes of the top panel 5 and bottompanel 3 are not substantially parallel in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a peg puzzle according to analternate embodiment of the present invention, in an open position. Inthis figure are shown the respective positions of the bottom panel 3,optional protective layer 91, images 7, front panel 5, and cutout holes9. In this embodiment, the optional protective layer is affixed to thetop panel 5, by conventional means, which may comprise any conventionalattachment means as previously described herein, including withoutlimitation adhesives, screws, nails, rivets, or other fasteners. Thisembodiment allows for the protection of the images 7, and simultaneouslyenables their being rapidly, easily, and conveniently altered. Theoptional protective layer 91 is preferably a single, continuous solidsheet which is translucent (although it may comprise pigments) and thisis why it is possible in this figure to see the shapes of the cutoutholes 91 through the protective layer.

In FIG. 4 is shown a perspective view of a peg puzzle according to analternate embodiment, which comprises a bottom panel 3 and a top panel 5disposed above the bottom panel 3. In this embodiment, the two panelsare adhered to one another in fixed position which in one embodiment isby permanent adhesive, such as a resin emulsion. The top panel 5includes a plurality of cutout holes 9 as previous, but this embodimentfurther comprises at least one slot 11, whose purpose is to enable theuser to slide their selected images in and out of the puzzle framewithout the need for separating the top panel 5 from the bottom panel 3.Although pictured as having a depth which terminates within theconstruction, the present invention also includes embodiments in whichthe slot 11 passes completely through the construction, reminiscent of atunnel. In one embodiment the slot 11 has a width dimension and heightdimension, corresponding in spatially, respectively, to the width of theconstruct as a whole, and the thickness of the construct, respectively.It is preferred that the height of the slot is only slightly greaterthan the thickness of images which are inserted therein. The width ofthe slot may be substantially any width, which permits the finishedpuzzle to have sufficient structural integrity to withstand typicallywear and tear encountered by these types of puzzles during their normalusage. One particularly preferred arrangement that is conducive tocarrying this out is set forth in FIG. 5 which shows an insert 12 thatis useful with the peg puzzle embodied in FIG. 4. The insert 12 itselfcomprises a backing layer 33, which is preferably a rigid sheet, whichmay comprise materials as previously described as being useful forconstructing the bottom panel 5 and top panel 3, and further includingcardboard. The backing layer 33 may be textured, or may comprise anadhesive with an essentially infinite open time, with the purpose beingto maintain the images 7 in a reasonably fixed position. A protectivelayer 91 is then disposed over the top of the images. This arrangementis conveniently achieved when the images 7 are photographs and thebacking layer is cardboard. The images are affixed to the cardboard, andthe cardboard/images composite may then be inserted into a sleeve ofacrylic polymer, such as the type commonly employed as page protectorsin 3-ring binders. Then, this insert 12 may be slid into the slot 11 ofthe puzzle construction shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the protective layer 91is generally desirably much thinner than any of the other planarelements of the invention, and the drawings are not shown as being toscale. It should be understood that the backing layer 33 is desirablythick enough to provide rigidity to the insert 12 so that it is notdeformed by repeated insertions into the slot 11. Thus, it is preferablyat least about 1 millimeter thick at minimum. In an alternateembodiment, the slot 11 is dimensioned sufficiently to receive laminatedphotographs, the exact dimensions of which slot 11 are readilycustomizable by one skilled in the art depending upon the dimension ofsuch laminated photographs (or other forms of images) which are desiredto be inserted therein.

As mentioned, the cutout holes 9 of the top panel 5 of the presentinvention exist in the form of a geometric shape. These would includeknown regular geometric shapes, such as squares, triangles, circles,ovals, trapezoids, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, etc. Inaddition, the use of irregular geometric shapes for the contours of thecutout holes 9 are within the scope of the invention, with the mainrequirement being that each cutout hole 9 has a corresponding puzzlepiece 15 which is capable of fitting into it, in a reasonably locking ornested manner, as is commensurate with known peg puzzles.

The top panel 5 is preferably removably attached to the bottom panel 3.This connection may be made, as aforesaid, by means of hinges, strips offabric, VELCRO® connective means, and adhesives. In some embodiments theconnective attachment is permanent, as in the case where apermanently-curing adhesive is employed, such as in the embodiment shownin FIG. 4. Other times, the connective attachment is readily removed, toenable the top panel 5 to be separated from the bottom panel 3. Thus,when the connective means are hinges, the top panel 5 is hingeablyattached to the bottom panel 3. All of the methods and hardwaresmentioned herein for connecting the top panel 5 with the bottom panel 3may be collectively referred to as means for securing these elements.Any number of cutout holes between about 1 and about 30 may be presentin a puzzle construct according to the invention, for every 900 cm³ ofsurface area of said top panel 3. A puzzle according to the inventionpreferably has a length dimension of between about 15 cm and 100 cm andany width dimension in the same range, when rectangular. Whennon-rectangular, the longest length dimension is preferably about 100cm; however, the panel portions of present invention may be constructedin any dimensions, or shapes, desired by the user. It is preferred, butnot necessary, that the outer contours or perimeter of the top panel 3coincide substantially with those of the bottom panel 5.

Consideration must be given to the fact that although this invention hasbeen described and disclosed in relation to certain preferredembodiments, obvious equivalent modifications and alterations thereofwill become apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art upon readingand understanding this specification and the claims appended hereto.This includes subject matter defined by any combination of any one ofthe various claims appended hereto with any one or more of the remainingclaims, including the incorporation of the features and/or limitationsof any dependent claim, singly or in combination with features and/orlimitations of any one or more of the other dependent claims, withfeatures and/or limitations of any one or more of the independentclaims, with the remaining dependent claims in their original text beingread and applied to any independent claims so modified. This alsoincludes combination of the features and/or limitations of one or moreof the independent claims with features and/or limitations of anotherindependent claims to arrive at a modified independent claim, with theremaining dependent claims in their original text being read and appliedto any independent claim so modified. Accordingly, the presentlydisclosed invention is intended to cover all such modifications andalterations, and is limited only by the scope of the claims whichfollow.

1) A puzzle construction, to be enjoyed primarily by children and youngadults, which comprises: a) a substantially planar, rigid bottom panelhaving a top surface and a bottom surface; b) a substantially planar,rigid top panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, said toppanel comprising at least one cutout hole through its surface, whereinsaid at least one cutout hole exists in the form of a geometric shape;c) at least one attachment means for removably attaching said top panelto said bottom panel in a position having the bottom surface of said toppanel facing the top surface of said bottom panel; d) at least onepuzzle piece; and e) optionally, at least one image disposed on the topsurface of said bottom panel, in a location which correspondssubstantially to the position of said at least one cutout hole in saidtop panel, when said top panel is disposed atop said bottom panel,wherein said puzzle piece and at least one of said cutout holes are bothshaped sufficiently similar to one another as to enable the puzzle pieceto be removably inserted into said at least one cutout hole, and tosubstantially hinder the ability of a person to see through the surfaceof said top panel, when said top panel is disposed atop said bottompanel and said puzzle piece is in position within said cutout hole. 2) Apuzzle according to claim 1 wherein said top panel and said bottom panelare attached to one another such that the bottom surface of said toppanel is in substantial contact with said top surface of said bottompanel. 3) A puzzle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of saidtop panel and said bottom panel is of singular construction. 4) A puzzleaccording to claim 1 wherein said top panel is attached to said bottompanel, by an attachment means disposed at a location selected from thegroup consisting of: an edge portion, the top surface, the bottomsurface, and an end portion of said top panel. 5) A puzzle according toclaim 1 wherein said top panel is attached to said bottom panel, by anattachment means disposed at a location selected from the groupconsisting of: an edge portion, the top surface, the bottom surface, andan end portion of said bottom panel. 6) A puzzle according to claim 1wherein said top panel is hingedly attached to said bottom panel, so asto permit said top panel to be opened in book fashion with respect tosaid bottom panel such that the planes of the top panel and the bottompanel are not substantially parallel when the puzzle is in an openposition. 7) A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein said at least oneimage is selected from the group consisting of: photographs, mirrors,sketches, and drawings. 8) A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein saidgeometric shape is a regular geometric shape or an irregular geometricshape. 9) A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the top panel and thebottom panel are oriented such that their planes are substantiallyparallel, and wherein at least one puzzle piece is removably disposedwithin at least one of said cutout holes. 10) A puzzle according toclaim 6 wherein the top panel and the bottom panel are oriented suchthat their planes are substantially parallel, and wherein at least onepuzzle piece is removably disposed within at least one of said cutoutholes. 11) A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein said puzzle furtherincludes: f) a locking means for securing said first panel and saidsecond panel together. 12) A puzzle according to claim 6 wherein saidpuzzle further includes: f) a locking means for securing said firstpanel and said second panel together. 13) A puzzle according to claim 1comprising at least 3 cutout holes having perimeters of differentshapes, and wherein said at least one puzzle piece comprises at least 3differently-shaped puzzle pieces, each having a portion whichcorresponds substantially in shape to the perimeter of said cutoutholes. 14) A puzzle according to claim 1 comprising at least 3 cutoutholes having perimeters of the same or similar shapes, and wherein saidat least one puzzle piece comprises at least 3 identical orsimilarly-shaped puzzle pieces, each having a portion which correspondssubstantially in shape to the perimeter of said cutout holes. 15) Apuzzle, enjoyable by children and young adults, which comprises: a) asubstantially planar, rigid bottom panel having a top surface and abottom surface; b) a substantially planar, rigid top panel having a topsurface and a bottom surface, said top panel comprising at least onecutout hole through its surface, wherein said at least one cutout holeexists in the form of a geometric shape, said top panel being attachedto said bottom panel such that the bottom surface of said top panel isfacing the top surface of said bottom panel, or is in substantialcontact therewith, said top and bottom panels collectively comprising aconstruct; c) at least one puzzle piece, wherein said puzzle piece isshaped sufficiently to be removably disposed in said at least one cutouthole of said top panel, sufficient to substantially hinder the abilityof a person to see through said cutout hole; and d) a means forreceiving at least one image, which means is adapted to enable an imageto be disposed in a location beneath the top surface of said top panelbut above the bottom surface of said bottom panel, and beneath thelocation of at least one of said cutout holes in said top panel, so asto render an image disposed within the means for receiving viewablethrough said cutout hole, when a puzzle piece is not disposed in thecutout hole. 16) A puzzle according to claim 15 wherein said constructhas a top surface, a bottom surface, two edge portions and two endportions. 17) A puzzle according to claim 16 wherein said means forreceiving at least one image comprises at least one slot disposed in alocation selected from the group consisting of: an end portion and anedge portion of said construct. 18) A puzzle according to claim 17wherein said slot is substantially rectangular. 19) A peg puzzlecomprising a plurality of puzzle pieces and cutout holes correspondingsubstantially in shape with a portion of the puzzle pieces, which puzzleis adapted to enable the user to selectively place and/or remove imagesto within and from within the construct of the peg puzzle, in suchfashion that one or more images are in the ready view of the user of thepuzzle when a puzzle piece is absent from a cutout hole, and wherein oneor more images are obstructed from the view of the user when a puzzlepiece is present in a cutout hole.